The body of a young woman found near a community centre in Greenwich has been named as 28-year-old primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.
Sabina, a year one teacher, had been working for just over a year at Catford’s Rushey Green Primary.
The discovery was made on Saturday, September 18, with police arriving at the scene shortly after 5:30pm.
The body was found in a park next to the OneSpace community centre on Kidbrooke Park Road.
At around 9:20pm the same day, police attended a property in Lewisham and arrested a man, aged in his 40s, on suspicion of murder.
He was taken into custody at a south London police station and subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Police say there are a number of active crime scenes in both Greenwich and Lewisham and the investigation is ongoing.
A post-mortem examination carried out at Greenwich Mortuary on Monday, 20 September was “inconclusive”.
Detective Chief Inspector Joe Garrity, from the Specialist Crime Command, is leading the investigation.
He said: “Our initial enquiries suggest that this attack happened at around 20:30hrs on Friday, September 17, a time when the park was likely being used by many people from dog walkers to joggers.
“Sabina was found near the OneSpace community centre which we know is a facility used by lots of people and we would ask anyone who was in or around the area and who may have any information to come forward.
“Did you see someone loitering or acting suspiciously? Or, did you see someone leaving the area in a hurry, perhaps running away? If you have any information, it is vital you tell us.
“We are working around the clock to deliver justice for the family of this young woman, and we need your help to do it.”
Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry, responsible for local policing in Greenwich, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with Sabina’s family and friends following this shocking incident and we will continue to provide our support to them as the investigation progresses.
“We know this incident will be worrying to those who live and work in the community.
“Over the next few days, they can expect to see extra high-visibility patrols both in and around the crime scene as well as other open spaces across the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich.
“As always, we are also working very closely with both local authorities to speak to our communities to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep people safe.”
OneSpace, the community centre near where the body of the woman was reportedly discovered, announced on Sunday afternoon that they would be closed until further notice while police carry out their enquiries.
Eltham Police also stated in a tweet that they would be holding a street briefing with residents outside Halton Court in Kidbrooke Village on Wednesday, September 22.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told Southwark News: “We live just around the corner, I’ve got two kids who go to school just up the road.
“We’ve lived around here for nearly ten years and nothing like this has ever happened, that I can remember anyway.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0208 721 4266, or 101. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers.